Canadian automotive museum boasts of some awe-inspiring automobile collection, which ranges from a 1903 Redpath Messenger, 1914 Rolls-Royce, 1918 Chevrolet snowmobile to a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina. I am not a very big car enthusiast, but it is a worthy trip to the quiet city of Oshawa.
Parking and tickets
The parking is limited but free. Due to COVID-19, the entry is time bound and tickets needs to be purchased online. When we went, the tickets prices were $14 for adults, $12 for students/ seniors, $6 for youth, and no charge for kids under five.
Exhibition area
The museum looked small from the outside and felt we would be in and out in about 15 minutes. But, once we arrived at the museum, we realized that the Canadian automotive museum is spread on two floors. It took us more than an hour to see all the vehicles and read the description, which is pretty detailed.
The cars are kept in close proximity due to lack of space, and a few of the automobiles were not on the display, which means that you can see them from afar, but there is no way for a close inspection.
Precautions/ limitations
As with any historical museum, there is a prohibition on touching the displayed units to preserve the fingerprints and paint. I remember seeing only stairs for the second floor, so the second floor can not be accessed with a wheelchair or a baby stroller. The Museum does give free admission to people who can’t access the second floor, but it is better to call beforehand due to changes in policies with the current situation.
What to see
Check the ceiling as you enter the museum towards the front desk, you will thank me later. The whole place is a fun lesson in automobile history and Canada’s connection and inputs in these. The staff is friendly and helpful. Every vehicle has a detailed description about its engine, make, model, original price, and fun facts about it.
Photography
For all the social media enthusiasts here, photography is allowed and even encouraged. But please be respectful of others’ space and the fact that these gems should not be touched.
Visual tour
Long version
Things on display
- Cars
- Fire truck
- Motorbikes
- Snowmobile
- Truck
- Number plates
- Engine
Makes
- Alfa Romeo
- Athens-Fox
- Bentley
- Buick
- Bugatti
- Bombardier
- Chevrolet
- Daimler
- DeLorean
- Ford
- Francis-Barnett
- Henderson
- Hispano-Suiza
- Isotta Fraschini
- Kennedy
- Kissel
- Lightning McQueen
- McLoughlin-Buick Truck
- Orient Buckboard
- Packard
- Sunbeam
- Raleigh
- Redpath
- Rolls-Royce
- Vauxhall
- Velocette
Not all the vehicles are on display, and few are loaned to other museums, so you might not see all of the mentioned above.
Extra
Other than the description of the vehicles, the walls are also covered with various exciting materials, including different old-era print ads for the cars at or around their launch. The building also has a vehicle elevator from back in the day but is not accessible for public use. Another great thing about second floor collection is that the cars here were made in Canada. There is a small gift shop towards the exit.
